This is the Best Selling Fitbit Charge 2 Review

This is the Best Selling Fitbit Charge 2 Review. The Fitbit Charge 2 continues with the success started by Charge HR. The best selling fitness tracker in 2015. The Charge 2 has a new design and more innovative features. The fact that the Fitbit Charge 2 still finds its way onto my wrist more than six months after I first used it is a testament to its appeal.

Let’s take a Look at the Best Selling Fitbit Charge 2?

The original Charge and Charge HR were their best-selling fitness trackers, according to Fitbit. It’s not a surprise Fitbit has used everything that was popular in the original and used this as a base for the Charge 2.

First of all, the heart rate monitoring of the Charge HR now comes as standard on the Charge 2. There’s just one model of Charge 2. It brings down the sheer number of Fitbit trackers available, which was becoming confusing. The PurePulse heart rate monitor of the original makes a return, and brings with it continuously and resting heart rate monitoring.

It’s packed with everything you could want, except dedicated GPS. The Charge 2 has all of the basics covered. The device is more of an evolution than creation. By correcting many of the shortcomings of the original, the Charge 2 proves to be an excellent all-around tracker.

Design and Setup of the Fitbit Charge 2

The main change with the Fitbit Charge 2 is its more sizeable display – it’s four times larger, in fact. The original Charge only had a small screen, showing one function at a time.

It uses a black-and-white OLED. The brightness of the display is adjustable. I haven’t had any problems reading the screen outdoors. The display turns on when you rotate your wrist. It helps to conserve the battery life.

Each of the menus has some sub-menus that you access by tapping the screen. Again, this was occasionally a little hit and miss. You need quite a fast tapping of the display (or just above it) to get it to register.

The Charge 2 isn’t a large departure from the original design. It’s slightly more slender than the original. The elastomer strap is more comfortable to wear, and since it uses a standard watch buckle, it’s easy to fasten. I didn’t have any discomfort with it on, even when I became particularly sweaty during a workout (you’ll have to wear the tracker a little above your wrist and a little tighter to get the best results).

Charge 2 has Potential for Customization

The best selling Fitbit Charge 2 doesn’t deviate much from previous models. Although it has the potential for customization. You have the option of changing the wristbands. It can be easily done. Fitbit’s options are Classic, Luxe leather, and Special Edition options. However, there are plenty of knock-offs available at a more affordable price.

There’s an array of colors available. Special Edition versions come with rose gold and gunmetal finishes. It adds another layer of class and sophistication. These cost a little more than the standard editions, though.

The Charge 2 comes in three different strap sizes. They are small, large and XL. You’ll need to choose the right size for your wrist (because you’ll have to wear the tracker a little above your wrist and a little tighter to get the best readings).

The Charge 2 works with Fitbit’s Android and iOS app. Setting it up is as straightforward as any other tracker. Just create a profile, entering your gender, height, and weight, then select some goals. The usual steps, sleep, and weight targets are in the app.

You’ll have to pair the best selling Fitbit Charge 2 with Bluetooth. You can then sync your activity to the app and receive notifications elementally from your connected smartphone. You’ll only receive caller ID, messages and calendar reminders.

A recent update to the Fitbit app now allows message notifications across different apps, such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. The function is much more useful. And it’s a very timely update. You won’t be able to interact with the message, but you’ll be able to see at least who the message sender is. Then you can decide if it’s worth taking out your phone.

The Best Selling Fitbit Charge 2 is water resistant (but not waterproof)

The Charge 2 is water and sweat resistant. It will not withstand being under water. If you get caught in the rain, it will be ok but don’t leave it on to go swimming or taking a showering.

Sleep Insights is new for the Charge 2. It provides guidance and coaching to get a better nights sleep. It’s only just recently become available. The sleep insights I’ve received so far hasn’t been very insightful (I haven’t used this function very much). Supposedly the insights will get more personalized over time.

Sleep Stages began rolling out to Charge 2 users as a software update. It’s one of the better functions of the Fitbit Alta HR. It’s a beneficial and useful addition. It provides a much better breakdown of sleep phases as well as providing a benchmark against other users in your demographic.

I trust the numbers crunched by the Fitbit Charge 2. The numbers themselves don’t necessarily matter but it’s the consistency that’s key, and that’s what I’ve been finding with the Charge 2.

Charge 2 allows for Continuous Heart Rate Tracking

This Fitbit lets you maximize your workouts with continuous heart rate tracking on your wrist. You won’t need to wear an annoying chest strap to get feedback. It’s SmartTrack technology automatically recognizes what type of exercise you’re doing, i.e., running and biking, weights or interval workouts, it can tell the difference.

It also provides you with exercise-specific data. Who wants to know the number of steps they have taken while doing yoga! You’ll get reminders to get up and move after you’ve been inactive for a while. It makes sure that you can reach at least 250 steps every hour. It also automatically tracks your sleep and can be set to wake you with a silent vibrating alarm.

The two elements that set the Charge 2 apart from previous Fitbit products are the Connected GPS feature (although not dedicated, you have to pair it with your smartphone) and it’s Cardio Fitness Score.

Once Connected GPS is activated, the Fitbit uses your smartphone’s GPS to map the route of your run or bike ride. You receive real-time stats such as pace and distance with improved accuracy.

Using the continuous heart rate tracking, Fitbit gives you an estimated VO2 max score. It’s called your Cardio Fitness Level. And it shows your overall fitness compared with people of the same gender and age.

Fitbit charge 2

Pros

Continuous heart monitoring

Automatic exercise recognition

Use smartphone’s GPS to record your running and cycling route

Guided breathing sessions are to help you relax

Friendly reminders to move when you have been inactive for a while

Compares your fitness to people like you and you’ll receive a fitness score

Your sleep gets monitored, and it has a vibrating alarm

Comfortable watch strap design

Helpful and intuitive app

Cons

Should I buy the Best Selling Fitbit Charge 2?

The distance, step counting, and heart rate measurements are consistent enough to prove useful. You’ll have a measurable way to track your progress. The new Cardio Fitness score, too, is a valuable tool. The Fitbit app has made leaps and bounds in providing motivation, but there remain areas where it can be improved.

There’s nothing revolutionary about the Fitbit Charge 2. It’s very much an evolution of the original Charge and Charge HR where styling has taken center stage. The new customization options will appeal some. There aren’t enough new features to make it a must-have upgrade if you have the old model.

The lack of waterproofing is the real disappointment. The Charge 2 is only water-resistant. So while you can wash your hands wearing it, you definitely can’t go swimming with it. And you’ll have to take it off to shower. Ideally, a fitness tracker is something you want to put on and only take off to charge. You might forget to put it back on, nullifying its purpose.

Connected GPS is an improvement over the old Charge and Charge HR. However, it’s still not an ideal replacement for a dedicated GPS sensor built directly into the tracker.

In conclusion

A wearable like the best selling Fitbit Charge 2 will never be able to compete on accuracy, in particular for expensive tests such as a VO2 Max. Instead, if you’re looking for reliability, this is where the Charge 2 does well. In the end, if you want an HRM-equipped everyday fitness tracker the Fitbit Charge 2 is an excellent all-around device.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you have anything that you’d like to share or any opinions on any of the content on my site, please do speak up. I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.

Note: Thank-you for supporting this website through the purchases you make on the provided affiliate links.

4 Comments

Derek said:

Hi Robert!

My friend has a Fitbit and I’ve always thought it was a neat and convenient fitness watch. He has the older version, so I had no idea there was a Fitbit Charge 2! They look gorgeous. Would you say they’re suitable for wearing in the snow? Thanks a ton!

Hi, Derek, thank-you for your comment. To answer your question, I think it would be ok to wear in the snow. It’s water resistant but you can’t submerge it in water. I hope this answers your question and thanks again.

My wife has I think the first model of Fitbit HR. She enjoys it and likes the fact that it connects to her iPhone’s iOS app. It’s getting a little old and worn out so maybe I’ll consider getting the Fitbit Charge 2 for her soon. Sounds like it’s a pretty good product with the customization and the sleep insights feature. Thanks for sharing your review!

Hello, Jeremy, the Fitbit Charge 2 is an excellent choice for an all-around fitness tracker. I like the fact that it can be customized (colored wristbands) and the sleep insights develop over time to the user’s sleep patterns. Thanks for your comments.